Separable fastener



Aug. 17, 1965 s. cousms SEPARABLE FASTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1963 INVENTOR Sydn Cousins ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1965 s. cousms SEPARABLE FASTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29. 1963 INVENTOR: Sydne Couslns FIG.1O

Aug. 17, 1965 s. COUSINS SEPARABLE FASTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 29, 1963 INVENTOR dne Cousins United States Patent 32%,464 SlWARABLE FASTENER tiydne Cousins, 345 W. 53th St, New York 19, N.Y. Filed Aug. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 305,474 Ciaims. (Cl. 24--230) This invention relates to separable locking means, and more particularly to a separable fastener universally applicable for joining separable but adjacent areas, such as the edges of wearing apparel, jewelry, drapery or equipment requiring the jointure of separable parts or edges.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a separable fastener comprised of two cooperating members, each of which can be integrally secured to adjacent but separated areas or edges of Wearing apparel, jewelry, drapery or other equipment requiring the jointure of the separable parts, which may be quickly and simply coupled to form a positive securement of the adjacent parts or edges of the article to which such cooperating members are fastened as an integral part thereof.

Another object herein is the provision of a separable fastener which will form a positive securement of the joined edges or parts of the article, by directly coupling the separate cooperating members comprising the fastener, and which members are responsive to slight pressure of a finger for releasing the cooperating members in order to effect separation of the edges or parts joined by the fastener.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a separable fastener having at least two separate cooperating members adapted to be integrally secured to an article of apparel, drapery, or the like, which will furnish positive stiffening means to such articles along the edges thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a separable fastener which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which is compact and of sturdy construction, as well as attractive in appearance, and which will not require removal from the article to which it is appended when it becomes necessary to launder or clean the article.

In accomplishing the foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention, there are provided two cooperating members adapted to mate with each other to form, as a unit, a clasp or fastener. Each of the cooperating members is further provided with means for integrally securing said members to separated edges or areas of wearing apparel, jewelry, drapery, or other equipment, so that when the edges or parts are drawn to each other, and the members are coupled, a secure closure results. Provision is further made for providing stiffening means where desired in areas where each of said members is secured to the apparel in which the fastener is utilized. In addition, the

fastener is provided with means for preventing movement or play once the cooperating members are coupled, especially eliminating any forward or lateral movement of the coupled members.

The above and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those versed in the art from the following description of a specific embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings, wherein like characters designate like parts in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooperating member comprising the fastener according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a separable fastener showing the cooperating members in coupled or locked relationship and the securing means of a particular configuration as a part thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

3.2%,464 Patented Aug. 17, 13%5 FIG. 4 is a view of the fastener and the securing means perpendicular thereto;

FIG. 5 is a view of the fastener and a further embodiment of the securing means forming a part thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view of the fastener having securing means adapted for specialized uses;

FIG. 7 is a view of the fastener and another embodiment of the securing means as a part thereof;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a brassiere show ing the device of the present invention utilized therewith;

FIG. 9 is a View of a garment showing the device as illustrated in FIG. 4 utilized therewith;

FIG. 10 is a view of the device as shown in FIG. 9 viewed from the interior of the garment;

FIG. 11 is a view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5 as utilized in conjunction with a belt used in a garment;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a brassiere showing a modified form of the device of the present invention, which device is adjustable, utilized therewith;

FIG. 13 is a perspective View of the cooperating members comprising the adjustable fastener of the present invention; and FIG. 14 is a view of the adjustable device taken on line 1414 of FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings, the fastener 10 according to the present invention is preferably fabricated of nylon or like material and comprises a male member 269, and a cooperating female member 30, said members being adapted to mate to form, as a unit, a clasp or fastener 10.

The male member 20 is comprised of an elongated rectangular frame member 21 forming a fenestration 22. At the forward end of frame member 21, integral therewith and projecting into fenestration 22, there is provided a resilient tongue member 23, said tongue member 23 being narrower than frame member 22 so that when disposed upon the same plane as frame member 22, the tongue member 23 is adapted to fit within fenestration 22. Said tongue member 23 is disposed upon an oblique plane and is provided with a shoulder 24 and a lip 25 at the free end thereof. Projecting from the rear of said frame member 21, there is provided a neck portion 15 connecting the male member 2! to one part of the securing means presently to be described.

The female member 39 is of sufficient depth to accommodate the male member 23, and is comprised of a base plate 31 having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 32, 33, and a rear or end wall 34 perpendicularly disposed thereto along the edges of base plate 31. Each of the walls 32, 33 and 34 is provided with an inwardly disposed shoulder 35. A transverse bar 36, parallel to the transverse axis of base plate 31, is provided at the forward end of female member. Said bar 36 connects shoulders 35 of side walls 32, 33 and forms a fenestration 37 disposed at the top of said female member and a transverse aperture 38 at the forward end of female member 34? adapted to receive therethrough male member 20. EX- tending from rear wall 34- outwardly, there is provided a neck portion 16 connecting female member 30 to the opposite part of securing means as presently to be described. The base plate, wall portions, and bar-like structure of the frame member thereby define a housing with a fenestration therein and having a generally open and unobstructed end.

In inserting male member 20 through aperture 38 of female member 39, the frame member 21 is restrained from any lateral movement by walls, 32, 33, and restrained in its forward movement by rear wall 34 so as to be se curely contained within the channel like structure formed by said side walls 32, 33 and the shoulder 35 at the top thereof. As the male member 20 is further introduced into the cooperating female member 3%, tongue 23 is depressed by transverse bar 36 until shoulder 24 abuts the inner spouses surface of transverse bar 36 and partially projects upwardly into fenestration 37. It will be noted that any reverse pull upon male member 21 will not effect its removal, until pressure is applied to tongue 23 to depress it sufficiently to allow shoulder 24 to clear transverse bar 36 and allow its removal from female member 30.

Securing means for attachment of the male member 20 and female member 30 to the separated areas of the article in which fastener is being utilized forms an integral part of said members, and is comprised of a pair of attachment elements 59, 51 formed integrally with male member 2%) and female member 30, respectively.

Attachment elements 50, 51, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are comprised of a stiffening portion 52 and a sewing flange 53 serving as a sewing surface for securement to a garment such as a brassiere 55 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The attachment elements 50, 51 as illustrated in FIG. 2 assume a generally arcuate configuration adapted for use, with a brassiere 55, as presently to be described, and are integrally attached to necks 15, 16 of male and female members and 31 respectively, along a portion thereof. The brassiere 55 utilizing the device of the present in vention is comprised of a pair of bust cups 56, 56, and a body-encircling band 57 extending from the outer perimeter of one cup 56 to the outer perimeter of the other cup 56 to form a brassiere of the type separable at the front thereof. Tape members 58 seamed along the inner perimeter of cups 56, 56' form pockets 59 for receiving and retaining therein the attachment elements 50, 51. A line of stitching 54- along tape member 58 and sewing flange 53 is provided for permanent securement of the device to the brassiere.

In the utilization of the fastener 10 where two separable edges 61, 61 are desired to be joined, as for example the edges of a jacket 60, the securing means are comprised of attachment elements 50, 51 having a stiffening portion 62 with a sewing flange 63, said elements 50', 51 being perpendicular to the male member 20 and female member and integral with the respective neck portions 15 and 16. It will be noted that the attachment elements 50, and 51 assume a configuration in conformity with the edges to which attachment is effected. It will thus be obvious that where it is desired that a curved edge be joined, the configuration of attachment elements 50, 51 will approximate such edge. A line of stitching 64 passing through the flange 63 is provided for anchoring said device to the garment 60, said device preferably being disposed upon the inner surface of garment 60 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Fastener 10 of the present invention when applied to a belt 70 for utilization with a pair of trousers 71 as illustrated in FIG. 11 is provided with attachment elements '72, 72' being of substantially rectangular eyelet configuration as illustrated in FIG. 5. The forward ends of said elements 72, 72 are integral with neck portions 15, 16, respectively, and the opposite ends thereof, having lateral bars 73, are adapted to engage the ends of belt 70 therearound, which are anchored by stitching 74.

The various attachment elements forming the securing means utilized with the fastener 11 according to the present invention as heretofore described are substantially mirror images of each other. The configuration assumed by such securing means, however, is entirely dependent upon the nature of the edges of articles being joined, and the nature of the surface to which jointure is desired.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the female member 30 is provided with an attachment element 80 comprising a frame-like member 81 provided with an inwardly disposed hook-like member 82, said frame 81 being integral with neck 16 of female member 30. Integral with the neck 15 of male member 20 is an attachment element 80", comprising an outwardly disposed oblique portion 83, and a substantially vertical portion 84 extending therefrom, said vertical portion 84 being provided with an aperture 85 for receiving therethrough a nail, screw or the like. The oblique portion 83 and vertical portion 84, may be provided with a rib for reinforcement for maintaining said portions upon a vertical plane. Where, for example, the device shown in FIG. 6 is utilized with a drapery (not shown), the hooklike member 82 may be tucked within the fold thereof so as to dispose the female member 30 upon the drapery, and a nail, or screw passing through aperture 85 and embedded into a wall of like surface will anchor the male member 21) thereupon. Coupling of the female member 36 carrying with it a drapery as before described, and forming a part of attachment element 80, to male member 20 forming part of attachment element 89' is effected by coupling as heretofore described.

Where fastener 10 is desired to be utilized in joining the edge of an article to a cylindrical surface, as for example, joining a drapery to a rod, the securing means are modified to provide attachment elements 90, 99' as illustrated in FIG. 7. The female member 39 is provided with a vertical disposed stiffening portion 91 integral with neck 16, said stiffening portion 91 being provided with a sewing flange 92 to enable said member 30 to be appended to one of the surfaces being joined. A circular eye member 93 integral with neck 15 joining said eye member 93 to male member 20 is provided for anchorage to a cylindrical object such as a rod or the like.

The separable fastener of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14 is an adjustable device, one application of which is to adjustably fasten the back of a brassiere, is illustrated in FIG. 12.

Such adjustable device comprises a male member having an elongated frame member 121 forming a fenestration 122. At the forward end of frame member 121, integral therewith and projecting into fenestration 122, there is provided a resilient tongue member 123, said tongue member 123 being narrower than frame member 122 so that when disposed upon the same plane as frame member 122, the tongue member 123 is adapted to fit within fenestration 122. Said tongue member 123 is disposed upon an oblique plane and is provided with a shoulder 124, and a lip 125 at the free end thereof.

The male member just described is in all respects similar to the male member previously described with respect to the fastener shown in FIG. 1.

The female member, as illustrated in FIG. 13, comprises a base plate 131, having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 132, 133, and a rear wall 134 perpendicularly disposed thereto along the edges of base plate 131. Each of walls 132, 133 and 134 is provided with an inwardly disposed shoulder 135. A front transverse bar 136, parallel to the transverse axis of base plate 131 is provided at the forward end of female member 130. Said bar 136 connects shoulders 135, of side Walls 132, 133 to form a transverse aperture 138 at the forward end of female member 130, adapted to receive therethrough male member 120. A medial transverse bar 139 forms a front and rear fenestration 137, 137', respectively.

From the foregoing it will be evident that in inserting the male member 120 into the female member 130, the tongue 123 may be lodged within the front fenestration 137, and secured against Withdrawal by front transverse bar 136. Male member 120 may further be disposed within female member so that tongue member 123 is lodged within the rear fenestration 137' and retained therein by medial transverse bar 139.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the fastener may be utilized in a brassiere comprising a pair of spaced bust cups 151, 152 having secured thereto body encircling bands 153, 154, respectively, extending around the body of a wearer and separable at the rear thereof. Said body encircling bands 153, 154 are attached in the conventional manner to securing means 145, 146 such as an eyelet, of male member 120 and female member 130, respectively, as heretofore described. It will be seen that the brassiere 150 is thus provided with adjustability and can be made tighter or looser depending upon the placement of the 3,2 tongue member 123 in the front or rear fenestration 137, 137, respectively.

It is apparent that changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus as herein described, and as so changed, a modified structure would still fall within the ambit of this invention.

For example, either one or both of the neck portions and 16 of the male 20 and female members, respectively, may be provided with button-holes (not shown) for securing said members to the separable edges joined by the use of conventional button-hole sewing machines. Button-holes may likewise be provided on base plate 31 of female member 30 in order to provide for the use of conventional apparatus in securing such member to a desired surface.

I claim:

1. A fastener device comprising:

a pair of separable members,

one of said separable members having an elongate base plate,

said base plate having wall portions projecting in a generally common direction from adjacent at least an end portion and opposed side portions and barlike structure extending between the opposed side wall portions in spaced relationship to the end wall portion to define a housing having a fenestration therein with that end portion of the housing which is opposed to the end wall portion thereof being substantially open and unobstructed,

the other of said separable members comprising an elongate frame member having opposed side and end portions and a fenestration therein together with a resiliently disposed substantially solid tongue member having a thickness substantially the same as the thickness of the frame member projecting from one end portion of the frame member into the fenestration whereat the tongue member terminates in a free end portion,

said tongue member defining an inclined surface extending from flush with the frame member to a location outside the fenestration whereat the surface terminates to define a shoulder facing the free end portion and closer to the free end portion han to the one end portion forming a notch having a depth not greater than the thickness of the bar-like structure extending along said tongue member from said shoulder to said free end portion,

the frame member being receivable Within the housing by projecting the one end portion of the frame member through the open and unobstructed end portion of the housing with the shoulder and free end portion of the tongue member into the fenestration of the housing and into engagement with said barlike structure to substantially securely position said tongue within said housing to preclude the advent of protuberances by relative movement between said tongue and said housing, and maintain a flush relationship therebetween and with the side portions and the one end portion of the frame member being in engagement with the side and end wall portions of the housing,

said frame member and the tongue portion thereof being disposed in a plane substantially common to the plane of the housing and within the confines thereof when the frame member is attached thereto, and

means for attaching said separable members to separable and adjoining areas.

2. A fastener device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said means for attaching comprises:

attaching elements integral with said separable members, and extending outwardly thereof;

at least one of said attaching elements being configured to at least in part assume the contour of the areas to be joined.

3. A fastener device as defined in claim 2, wherein:

at least one of said attaching elements comprises:

a stiffening portion; and

a flange for attachment to each of said adjoining areas.

4. A fastener device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said one of said separable members comprises:

a medial bar-like structure bridging the side wall portions generally longitudinally therealong;

said medial bar defining:

a plurality of fenestrations for selectively receiving therein said tongue member,

5. A fastener device as described in claim 1, wherein:

the opposed side wall portions of said housing have longitudinal channels therein and the one end wall portion of said housing has a rear channel therein,

the opposed side portions and said one end portion of the frame being receivable within the longitudinal channels and the rear channel, respectively, by projecting the said one end portion of the frame member through the open and unobstructed end portion of the housing with the side portions and the one end portion of the frame member being substantially in engagement with the longitudinal channels and the rear channel of the housing to preclude any relative movement between the frame member and the housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 343,715 6/86 Lind.

797,953 8/05 Gurren 24-230 1,371,210 3/2'1 King 24-230 2,127,839 8/38 Carlile 24-20516 2,437,765 3/48 Statham 24206 2,765,471 10/ 5 6 Cousins 2420l 2,900,696 8/59 Bacon 24-46 2,912,984 11/59 Jensen 24-203 2,962,725 12/60 Breslaw 24-205.11 2,964,937 12/60 Lautin 24-230 2,986,792 6/61 Wyatt 24-230 3,009,227 11/61 Ryan 24-230 FOREIGN PATENTS 901,042 7/45 France.

1,128,175 1/57 France.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FASTENER DEVICE COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SEPARABLE MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID SEPARABLE MEMBERS HAVING AN ELONGATE BASE PLATE, SAID BASE PLATE HAVING WALL PORTIONS PROJECTING IN A GENERALLY COMMON DIRECTION FROM ADJACENT AT LEAST AN END PORTION AND OPPOSED SIDE PORTIONS AND BARLIKE STRUCTURE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE OPPOSED SIDE WALL PORTIONS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE END WALL PORTION TO DEFINE A HOUSING HAVING A FENESTRATION THEREIN WITH THAT END PORTION OF THE HOUSING WHICH IS OPPOSED TO THE END WALL PORTION THEREOF BEING SUBSTANTIALLY OPEN AND UNOBSTRUCTED, THE OTHER OF SAID SEPARABLE MEMBERS COMPRISING AN ELONGATE FRAME MEMBER HAVING OPPOSED SIDE AND END PORTIONS AND A FENESTRATION THEREIN TOGETHER WITH A RESILIENTLY DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID TONGUE MEMBER HAVING A THICKNESS SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE THICKNESS OF THE FRAME MEMBER PROJECTING FROM ONE END PORTION OF THE FRAME MEMBER INTO THE FENESTRATION WHEREAT THE TONGUE MEMBER TERMINATES IN A FREE END PORTION, SAID TONGUE MEMBER DEFINING AN INCLINED SURFACE EXTENDING FROM FLUSH WITH THE FRAME MEMBER TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE THE FENESTRATION WHEREAT THE SURFACE TERMINATES TO DEFINE A SHOULDER FACING THE FREE END PORTION AND CLOSER TO THE FREE END PORTION THAN TO THE ONE END PORTION FORMING A NOTCH HAVING A DEPTH NOT GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF THE BAR-LIKE STRUCTURE EXTENDING ALONG SAID TONGUE MEMBER FROM SAID SHOULDER TO SAID FREE END PORTION, THE FRAME MEMBER BEING RECEIVABLE WITHIN THE HOUSING BY PROJECTING THE ONE END PORTION OF THE FRAME MEMBER THROUGH THE OPEN AND UNOBSTRUCTED END PORTION OF THE HOUSING WITH THE SHOULDER AND FREE END PORTION OF THE TONGUE MEMBER INTO THE FENESTRATION OF THE HOUSING AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BAR-LIKE STRUCTURE TO SUBSTANTIALLY SECURELY POSITION SAID TONGUE WITHIN SAID HOUSING TO PRECLUDE THE ADVENT OF PROTUBERANCES BY RELATIVE MOVEMIENT BETWEEN SAID TONGUE AND SAID HOUSING, AND MAINTAIN A FLUSH RELATIONSHIP THEREBETWEEN AND WITH THE SIDE PORTIONS AND THE ONE END PORTION OF THE FRAME MEMBER BEING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SIDE AND END WALL PORTIONS OF THE HOUSING, SAID FRAME MEMBER AND THE TONGUE PORTION THEREOF BEING DISPOSED IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON TO THE PLANE OF THE HOUSING AND WITHIN THE CONFINES THEREOF WHEN THE FRAME MEMBER IS ATTACHED THERETO, AND MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID SEPARABLE MEMBERS TO SEPARABLE AND ADJOINING AREAS. 